1 . Atmospheric (大气层的) rivers are long and narrow bands of water vapor (水蒸气) in Earth’s atmosphere, which are called “large rivers in the sky”. These rivers form over warm ocean waters. They are huge. They can be 930 miles long and one-third that wide.

Like real rivers, they carry huge amounts of water. These large streams of small water drops are blown by wind over land. When that happens, the water vapor cools down and condenses (凝结). Atmospheric rivers can be good. They bring water to dry areas. However, they can cause huge, fast-moving storms. Some cause snowfalls that bury towns. They are also the main cause of floods on the U.S. West Coast.

Atmospheric rivers are hard to predict. But scientists are working to change that. Marty Ralph, a scientist who works at the University of California, directs the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E). They created the first computer model to predict atmospheric rivers on the U.S. West Coast. This model uses a program that runs on a computer to create a model of a real-world event. CW3E also studies atmospheric rivers using planes. Pilots drop instruments into atmospheric rivers to collect information like temperature and wind speed, which helps with forecasting.

Will climate change affect atmospheric rivers? Climate change happens naturally over a long period of time. But today, it is largely caused by human activities and is causing the Earth to warm, which affects atmospheric rivers.

Atmospheric rivers are pushed by the wind. Those winds are driven by the temperature differences between the poles and the equator (赤道). But the poles are also warming faster than areas near the equator. That makes the temperature difference between the areas smaller. This can make winds weaker.

Climate change might not cause more atmospheric rivers. But there may be very, very wet seasons and very, very dry seasons. Such a seesaw in rainfall could make it harder to manage what water there is.

1. What can we learn about atmospheric rivers?

A．They can be 930 miles long and 465 miles wide.

B．They are easy to predict as scientists are working on it.

C．They are bands of water vapor forming over warm ocean waters.

D．They are the main cause of floods in the U.S.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．Why it is hard to predict atmospheric rivers.

B．Whether scientists can predict atmospheric rivers.

C．How technology helps the prediction of atmospheric rivers.

D．How scientists are working on the forecasts of atmospheric rivers.

3. What does the underlined word “seesaw” mean in the last paragraph?

A．Growth.

B．Drop.

C．Prediction.

D．Change.

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A textbook.

B．A science magazine.

C．An academic article.

D．A news report.

2 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

With full preparation from both China and the US, the giant panda family Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their 3-year-old son Xiao Qiji arrived safely in China on Thursday due to the ending of the agreement between the two     1     (country). After returning, they     2     (transport) to the Wolong National Nature Reserve, according to China Daily. The news immediately became     3     hot topic on China’s social media platform, with nearly 43 million netizens     4     (express) their joy and excitement.

    5     (prepare) for their returning, China selected senior workers to travel to the US     6     advance to take part in the panda’s feeding and help US experts in conducting behavior training and daily check-ups. What’s more, indoor animal houses, feed processing rooms and outdoor exercise areas were set up in the reserve for their isolation (隔离).

Giant pandas are rare and endangered wild animals,     7     are beloved by people around the world, and they also serve as ambassadors for     8     (culture) exchange between China and other nations. In the future, China     9     (continue) to strengthen cooperation with others, to     10     (active) contribute to the protection of endangered species such as giant pandas and the promotion of friendship between Chinese and the rest of the world.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why was Kaavan sent to Pakistan?

A．He was given as a gift.

B．A zoo there wanted to train him.

C．A female elephant there needed a companion.

2. What was a big blow to Kaavan in 2012?

A．He was homeless.

B．He lost his friend.

C．He was kept in chains.

3. In which year did Kaavan leave the zoo?

A．2016.

B．2020.

C．2021.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Where is Destiny’s community located?

A．Near the waterfront.

B．In the northern part.

C．In the city center.

2. What problem does Destiny mention?

A．Her high school is closed.

B．She has breathing problems.

C．The air in her neighborhood is poor.

3. What was Destiny’s attitude toward the project in 2016?

A．Disapproving.

B．Unclear.

C．Supportive.

4. What is the man doing?

A．Making a survey.

B．Conducting an interview.

C．Holding a press conference.

5 . Lying in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, the fishing village Huatulco is home to nine bays, 36 beaches and thousands of baby turtles that apparently needed me. I had three open days on my calendar, and a desire to save some turtles. And so, away I went to Huatulco with Wildcoast, a group of champions-for-change who were protecting coastal and marine ecosystem in the U. S. and Mexico.

I was taken to La Escobilla to experience Wildcoast in action. Just one hour north of Huatulco, this protected beach is where mass turtle nesting happens. This natural phenomenon lasts just four days during rainy season, hundreds of thousands of female sea turtles swinging their way ashore to lay their eggs.

Between threats of dogs, crabs, development and oil spills, the little creatures have the whole world against them. As recently as 2002, turtles hunting was not only a common practice, but an important part of the culture and diet in the Oaxaca communities. Luckily, Wildcoast rescues turtle eggs and recreates habitats by monitoring temperatures and humidity. Thanks to their efforts, the sea turtles have made a major comeback, with now over 72 million turtles being born on the beaches that Wildcoast protects.

I got to hold 50 of the tiny creatures in a bowl. Despite an average laying of 100 eggs, just one in 1, 000 baby turtles will make it to adulthood. Gazing into the bowl, I so badly wanted them to taste the sea and find shelter somewhere deep in the ocean. Finally, it was time to liberate those little creatures. Out spilled the creatures, some moving full steam ahead while others barely paddled in place. Literally, hundreds of them began to spread out across the beach.

With each set of waves, we witnessed the survival of the fittest, some pushing past the whitewash while others crashed back to shore. Their fight for life made my eyes wet. A flock of birds were ready to dive into the sea for their moving targets. “One in 1, 000.” Nature was cruel and compassionate at the same time. After 30 long minutes, the last creature made his way to the sea.

1. The baby turtles are threatened by various factors except ________.

A．the cruel hunters	B．the rapid development
C．the extreme weather	D．the oil-polluted ocean

2. What do the underlined words “full steam ahead” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．With slow pace and fear.	B．With all energy and enthusiasm.
C．With full caution and curiosity.	D．With great satisfaction and responsibility.

3. What does the author indicate by mentioning “One in 1,000” in the last paragraph?

A．One baby turtle in 1,000 can make his way to the sea.

B．Thousands of baby turtles were crashed back to shore.

C．The struggle of baby turtles for life touched the author.

D．Baby turtles can hardly survive the harsh living conditions.

4. What can we learn from the author’s experience in saving baby turtles?

A．Think twice before you leap.	B．God helps those who help themselves.
C．Cease to struggle and you cease to live.	D．When the buying stops, the killing can too.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the ship captain going to do?

A．Speed the ship.

B．Change the direction.

C．Stop the ship.

2. What is the weather probably like now?

A．Sunny and nice.

B．Windy and rainy.

C．Stormy and cold.

3. What should the passengers do?

A．Run for safety.

B．Stay in their rooms.

C．Call 911.

8 . A team of psychologists led by Dr. Karen McComb at the University of Sussex in the UK have discovered an effective way for humans to communicate with cats through slow blinking (眨眼睛), similar to how cats interact with each other.

Dr. McComb and her team conducted two experiments to study this phenomenon. In the first study, owners were instructed by researchers Tasmin Humphrey and Andrew Wood to slowly blink at their cats from a distance while being recorded. Humphrey and Wood found the cats were more likely to respond with slow blinking of their own compared to when no interaction took place.

To follow up on these findings, McComb, Humphrey, and Wood designed a second experiment without considering the exsisting relationship between humans and cats. Researchers, including McComb, performed the same slow blinking action. Like in the first experiment, the cats in this study also responded more favorably to slow blinking by returning the gesture and more readily approaching an extended hand, according to Humphrey’s analysis.

The slow blink expression involves partially closing the eyes briefly, copying a relaxed, friendly facial expression in humans. McComb notes that for cats, it appears to signal good intentions as constant staring could be seen as threatening. Wood says that cats may have developed this language to acknowledge humans who react positively to the signal. Being able to effectively communicate acceptance in this subtle cat way seems to strengthen the bond between cats and their owners, McComb adds.

McComb, Humphrey and Wood hope their findings can provide insight into cat behavior and thinking. They also aim to apply this knowledge of cross-species communication to evaluate cat health in various places like veterinary (兽医的) clinics and shelters, according to Humphrey. A deeper understanding of how cats interpret and respond to humans can improve our ability to properly care for household and outdoor cat populations, McComb concludes.

1. How was the second experiment different from the first one?

A．It recorded the interactive behavior of cats.

B．It required cat owners to blink from a distance.

C．It studied how cats communicate with each other.

D．It focused on how cats react to strangers’ slow blinking.

2. Why may cats develop slow blinking according to experts?

A．To attract their owners’ attention.

B．To show friendliness to other animals.

C．To respond to humans’ positive reactions.

D．To send out a signal for help to their partners.

3. What do the researchers hope to apply their findings to?

A．Improving cat behavior and habits.

B．Assessing health conditions of cats.

C．Developing ways to treat cats’ diseases.

D．Helping cat owners train their cats quickly.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Humans can communicate with cats by blinking slowly.

B．Extending hands to cats can strengthen the bond with them.

C．Cats respond favorably to humans’ friendly facial expressions.

D．Understanding cat signals improves humans’ ability to care for them.

10 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段, 使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Grandfather looked worried as he felt the inside of Caper’s front hoof(蹄). The small horse was in pain. “It’s warm,” said Grandfather with a sigh. “I think he has a mild case of founder(蹄叶炎). Let him have a rest. In a few days he should be right as rain.”

Caper couldn’t pull the cart, which meant they couldn’t go to the market the next day. The fish couldn’t be sold and they wouldn’t get enough money to pay for the rent. Aislinn had tears in her eyes. “The sea has always been kind to us. There will be more fish. And the rent will get paid. Now off to bed with you. Leave the worrying to me,” said Grandfather, smiling at Aislinn. “Good night,” Aislinn said as she headed toward her room, trying her best to hold back her tears. “Sweet dreams,” Grandfather called after her.

Sleep would not come. Aislinn wished Grandfather could sell the fish he’d worked so hard to catch. She wished they had enough money for the rent. But above all Aislinn wished that Caper’s hooves would stop hurting. She suddenly remembered when she’d twisted(扭伤)her own ankle. Grandfather had told her to keep ice on it, and the swelling had gone down.

“Could the same thing help Caper?” Aislinin wondered. Suddenly Aislinn had a better idea, and she jumped out of bed. She knocked on Grandfather’s bedroom door, and found Grandfather was also wide awake. Aislinn came in and asked Grandfather whether it would help if they stood Caper in the sea, in the cold water. Grandfather thought for a while and said that might work. He asked Aislinn to take a blanket and some hot tea. “You don’t have to stay out that long, you know,” said Grandfather. “I want to,” said Aislinn, filled with hope that her idea would work. With her arms full, she followed Grandfather out into the night.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
Half an hour later, they slowly led the small horse down to the water.
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Aislinn felt something pushing against her.
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